'Not To Implicate Anyone' : Supreme Court Clarifies 'Why Political Party Not Made Accused' Query In Delhi Liquor Scam Case

The Supreme Court on Thursday (October 5) clarified that the question raised by it yesterday during the bail hearing of Manish Sisodia regarding the 'political party', which is alleged to be beneficiary, not being made an accused in the Delhi liquor policy scam case, was not meant to implicate anyone.

The bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti orally said that it was only asking a legal question.

"We want to clarify that our question yesterday was not to implicate anyone. Suppose if as per the prosecution if A is not being prosecuted can B or C be prosecuted? In that context the question was posed as a legal question.", Justice Khanna orally said during the hearing today.

Yesterday, without expressly taking the name of Aam Aadmi Party, the bench had asked Additional Solicitor General SV Raju (who appears for CBI & ED) :

"As far as PMLA is concerned, your whole case is that it went to a political party. That political party is still not an accused. How do you answer that? He is not the beneficiary, the political party is the beneficiary".

This morning, certain media houses reported, citing unnamed sources, that the Enforcement Directorate was planning to add AAP as an accused in the case. During today's hearing, Senior Advocate Dr.Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who is appearing for Sisodia, took objection to the press reports about the Court's query. 

"Yesterday, your lordships put a query about links with me. Several reputed newspaper carry headlines saying, Court asks ED why AAP is not made an accused? Today morning all the channels are carrying that ED wants to make AAP a party." Singhvi said.

Justice Khanna told Singhvi that the bench is not influenced by what the media reports.

"One, in court we ask questions. Second, we don't get influenced by the media. I did go through the papers. It's not going to affect us", Justice Khanna said.

"He(ASG) knows what your lords asked, we know what your lords asked. That's not the point. But that is apparently being made basis to making AAP a party. Apparently."Singhvi replied.

ASG Raju said, "I was asked by the media today morning. I said- if there is evidence, we will not spare anybody...that was the statement".

The hearing is continuing.  Live updates can be tracked here.

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